China attempting to block Taiwan’s OECD participation

China is attempting to block Taiwan's participation in the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in Beijing's latest attempt to limit Taiwan's international space, Taiwan's representative to the United States said on March 18.

During an informal gathering with Taiwanese reporters in Washington D.C., Joseph Wu said that China is pressuring the OECD into signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Beijing in the coming weeks that would force the OECD to spell out a "policy of nonacceptance" toward Taiwan. Terms in the agreement would include not accepting Taiwan's application for OECD membership, not accepting Taiwan's bid to become a member or observer of OECD-affiliated agencies or committees, and not accepting any appointment of Taiwanese as an OECD official, Wu said.

Under the MOU, the OECD would also not accept any offer to hold OECD meetings or activities in Taiwan or co-organise meetings or activities with Taiwan, not accept any invitation for OECD officials to visit Taiwan, and not accept any visit by high-ranking official from Taiwan to the OECD, Wu said. If the MOU is signed, it would be the second of its kind promoted by China to obstruct Taiwan's participation in an international organisation, following the one signed in 2005 between China and the World Health Organisation, Wu noted. Taiwan is working with friendly OECD states to try to block China's scheme, Wu added.

(Source: Central News Agency)